Expert Analysis 2

This video showed some excellent techniques used with a high-risk patient.

The security officer stayed present with the patient and escorted him from that moment; this was prudent for both his safety and that of others. This is the ideal situation, but if a security officer is not available, some staff person should bring the patient from one location to another so that the patient is never unaccompanied.

When the patient was brought to see the psychiatric nurse, the officer acted correctly: he introduced the patient and stayed outside the door to give some privacy, but with clear sight lines and the ability to see the psychiatric nurse if help was needed.

The room seemed free from any dangerous items or a configuration that could have put the nurse in harm's way. The nurse sat at a 45-degree angle from the patient, giving him his space; she was positioned so that the patient would not block her access to the door. She could have sat across the table from him or moved there if he had gotten more intimidating or put her at risk.

The officer did a good job containing emotions, physically and verbally setting limits but doing so reasonably while maintaining the patient's dignity. I thought the interchange and way the patient was managed in this scenario was very effective and safe.